Private Sector Minimum Wage Increased to Rs. 30,000 from January 1

The minimum monthly wage for employees in Sri Lanka’s private sector has been increased to Rs. 30,000, with effect from January 1, according to the Commissioner General of Labour.

Issuing a statement, Commissioner General of Labour H. M. D. K. Nadeeka Wataliyadda confirmed that the minimum wage has been raised by Rs. 3,000, from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000.

The wage revision has been implemented in line with the National Minimum Wage of Employees (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2025.

The Commissioner General emphasized that the provisions of the Act are binding on all employers, including both immediate employers and principal employers, even in cases where employees are recruited through intermediaries or contractors.

According to Section 4 of the Act, no allowance — except for budgetary relief allowances received as of March 31, 2025 — may be used to offset or substitute the revised minimum wage.

Employers are also responsible for ensuring that the revised wage is applied when calculating statutory payments, including Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF), overtime payments, gratuity, maternity benefits, and leave payments.

The Commissioner General further stated that employers who fail to comply with the new wage regulations may face complaints lodged through the Labour Department’s Complaint Management System at cms.labourdept.gov.lk or through written submissions to the nearest Labour Office.